Head-to-head comparison
San Diego Miramar College vs National University: which has better ROI?
Option A San Diego, CA
San Diego Miramar College
- Net price / year
- $3,337
- Earnings, 10 years
- $48,224
- Payback
- No payback
Option B San Diego, CA
National University
- Net price / year
- $22,878
- Earnings, 10 years
- $67,548
- Payback
- 4.8 yrs
National University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $91,512 in 4.8 years versus not at all at San Diego Miramar College, on median earnings of $67,548 vs $48,224 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | San Diego Miramar College | National University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $3,337 | $22,878 |
| Total net cost | $6,674 | $91,512 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $48,224 | $67,548 |
| Median debt | $6,750 | $25,000 |
| Payback | — | 4.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$9,394 | $292,248 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, San Diego Miramar College or National University?
San Diego Miramar College, at $3,337 a year after aid versus $22,878 — a gap of $19,541 a year, or $84,838 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do San Diego Miramar College or National University graduates earn more?
National University graduates report a median $67,548 ten years after entry, $19,324 more than the $48,224 at San Diego Miramar College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, San Diego Miramar College or National University?
San Diego Miramar College: its completers carry a median $6,750 in federal loans versus $25,000 at National University, a difference of $18,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
48% of students finish at San Diego Miramar College, against 43% at National University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.